Xbox
Better late than never; Xbox handheld would arrive in 2025
The report marks 2027 as the year for the new Xbox main consoles to launch.
In recent years the gaming portable consoles have had a boom, starting with the Nintendo Switch’s release in 2017, which has sold like hot coffee worldwide, and then a more PC-focused approach started being developed with devices like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. Probably feeling left behind, PlayStation released the PS Portal, which streams games directly from the console, and now Xbox is on the verge of doing its own part.
In a recent report by Windows Central, it was revealed that Xbox is working with another manufacturer to bring a portable console to the market in 2025, and also a self-manufactured one alongside Xbox Series X|S’ successor in 2027. “Codename ‘Keenan,’ this gaming handheld will look unmistakably Xbox, we’re told, complete with an official Xbox guide button, and Xbox design sensibilities”, the report states.
The report also says that this first console will serve as research for Microsoft, so they can learn how to better improve Windows for this type of device. This is logical, because then when they finally launch their own handheld, it will be less churny and more agile than the Windows-based ones that are now on the market. And it will improve those as well over time.
Like the PlayStation Portal and App, Xbox had developed the capability of playing via streaming on a lot of different devices. Gamers may not be able to play Xbox on their fridges’ screen, but almost any other device that has one and internet connection could have access to either cloud gaming, or console streaming, or both.
Phil Spencer has even talked about loving the Lenovo Legion Go, and how great it would be to have something like that in Xbox. What we could expect is something like an Ally or Legion Go branded with Xbox, but remaining a PC.
The next gen
As for what’s coming in 2027 aside from the handheld, which could be a replacement for the Series S, there is going to be a premium version of the Xbox Series X’ successor. It will be closer to Windows to help developers launch on both console and PC, and also be backwards compatible.
Along with that they are focusing on hardware to reach the players, and like the aforementioned handhelds, there will be improvements on the controllers, with cloud features and improved connectivity.
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